London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

London weather: Capital to be hotter than Barcelona this weekend - but forecasters warn rain may stop play

Londoners not making the great getaway this weekend are set to enjoy sizzling temperatures before rain interrupts the heatwave.

The weather was expected to stay fine in the capital today bar a few “sharp, thundery showers” but forecasters said Saturday would see the best of the weather with highs of 29C - hotter than Barcelona.

The temperatures will ease slightly on Sunday making it the coolest night in a while and bringing some relief to Londoners who have been struggling to sleep in the muggy conditions.

The cooler air is likely to give some relief to London Zoo’s penguin colony, where a three-month-old chick was today named as Carnaby.

Met Office meteorologist Emma Sharples said: “There will be plenty of warm sunshine in London today with the chance of a few sharp, thundery showers this afternoon, which will be isolated.

“Tomorrow, there will be a bit of cloud to start with and later the sunshine will be more hazy and the temperature will start to tail off to about 27C.

“The real change comes into Sunday, there will be a bit more cloud and the temperature will be a bit cooler, a bit fresher feeling, between 23C and 25C.

“Hopefully things will be a bit more comfortable on the Sunday night.”